Gray Harrison 9/28/26 Gray Harrison 9/28/26

Beacon Food Forest Calls for Aid to Remain a Vital Community Resource

In early September, Beacon Food Forest announced that they have been experiencing federal funding cuts, writing in the announcement that recent funding cycles have shown fewer grants available, tighter restrictions, and more funding directed towards projects and supplies than staffing. As a result, under their current budget, BFF will need to let their three staff members go by December 1, 2026.

Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 9/25/26 Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 9/25/26

Happy Snacking: Black Forager Brings Trademark Humor + Wisdom to Town Hall

The evening of Monday, September 14 brought a full house of people eager to see and hear from Alexis Nikole Nelson, a.k.a. BlackForager across social media, who is currently on tour to discuss and market her new book, Happy Snacking, Don’t Die!, a recipe book of foraged ingredients with stories you won’t want to skip. The title comes from her famous catch phrase concluding most of her videos.

Lynette Evans 9/24/26 Lynette Evans 9/24/26

Soft Life, Hard Lessons: The Art of Showing Up

I recently had a deep conversation with a close friend about grief—specifically how heavy death anniversaries and birthdays feel when you’ve lost someone you love. When you care about someone carrying that kind of weight, you pay attention.

So I made a bold, leap-of-faith decision: I moved my flight to Atlanta up by 15 days.

Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 9/18/26 Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 9/18/26

Black Nerd Magic Shines at Langston

Some notable moments included: A screening of Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part 2; an original animation featuring Black heroes and depicting a Black male lead going through mental health struggles, followed by a Q&A with the Cutting Edge Animations; and Boots Riley with a fashionably and absurdly large hat swooped in for a screening of I Love Boosters.

Nina Alworth 9/14/26 Nina Alworth 9/14/26

Surprising No One, The Evergreen Echo Endorses Resounding ‘No’ on I-638

In opposition to Let’s Go Washington, No Hate in Washington State argues that said biological determination screenings would be invasive, harmful, and would likely be unconstitutional in Washington. Since IL26-638 does not call for a bilateral implementation, or rather for biological girls to be barred from boys sports as well, NHWS argues that the initiative may be unconstitutional under Washington's anti-discrimination law.

Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 9/7/26 Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 9/7/26

What the Funk?! Relishes QTBIPOC Body Inclusion in Year 7

I love attending shows that expand my mind as well as entertain, and I was thrilled to have What the Funk?! reshape what I thought burlesque looked like. With each performer dancing to funk music, the slow tease took on a different form, with gloves pulled off to hit quick beats, hips bumping to brass instruments, and the rhythm carrying a pace of exhilarating sensual stamina.

Parker Dean 8/27/26 Parker Dean 8/27/26

Trans* Talk: It’s Never Too Late

Trans folks have existed throughout history, but so many of us were forced into hiding due to societal pressure, laws that threatened to eliminate us, and fear. But we existed, we exist now, and we will exist forever. And it is never too late to become who you are.

Lynette Evans 8/20/26 Lynette Evans 8/20/26

Soft Life, Hard Lessons: Houston, We Have a Boyfriend!

A few weeks ago, a mutual friend played matchmaker. It all started with a simple sharing of photos and a few text exchanges. Who knew it would blossom into what it is now?

Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 8/18/26 Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 8/18/26

Your Weekend Plan: What the Funk?! BIPOC Burlesque at Triple Door

Puckduction, in association with The Stay Up Late Show and powered by Shunpike, proudly announces the return of What the Funk?! An All BIPOC Burlesque Festival. Celebrating its milestone 7th anniversary, the three-night spectacular will take over the historic mainstage of The Triple Door from August 20 to August 22, 2026.

Nina Alworth 8/17/26 Nina Alworth 8/17/26

Queers Sport Community at Pitch the Baby

Now is a moment like none other as women's sports are reaching uncharted levels of popularity in and beyond our fair city. So where does one go to find fellow fans here in Seattle? Allow me to introduce…Pitch The Baby.

JeLisa Marshall 8/14/26 JeLisa Marshall 8/14/26

Runway to Runway: Flight Attendant Fashions Expose Civil Rights Flashpoints

Walking into the Museum of Flight to view Runway to Runway, I never expected to leave with such a profound sense of connection to the history of civil rights in the United States. Having studied and worked in fashion for many years, I was familiar with some of the design collaborations behind the uniforms—like Braniff Airways and Emilio Pucci—but less familiar with the stories that give them layered meaning. What I discovered was how the flight attendants and their uniforms are intricately woven into the fight for gender, labor, and racial equality.

Lynette Evans 7/30/26 Lynette Evans 7/30/26

Soft Life, Hard Lessons: Apps, Groveling Exes, and The Hug Barometer

If you had told me at the beginning of this year that I’d be simultaneously navigating 10 Jerry Springer Show seasons worth of dating apps, receiving apology tours from exes a decade late, and coaching my own dear mother through her dating life, I’d be your indentured servant for a month! But here we are, and the streets are making my edges thin.

Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 7/28/26 Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 7/28/26

Kitsap Pride Basks in Gloriously Colorful Community

The first pride was a riot, really more of a rebellion. So you can imagine my internal preparation as I braced for another corporatized Pride to leave a bad taste in my mouth. Luckily I had nothing to fear at the Kitsap Pride Festival.

Calista Robbins 7/21/26 Calista Robbins 7/21/26

Seattle Vice Revives Burlesque Series of Tenderloin Histories at Triple Door

“We liked exploring the ‘70s in particular,” said Mark Siano when interviewed, “because this is where the clubs started to spiral out of Frank’s control and started to take on a life of their own. We saw the emergence of Burlesque, Cabaret, Follies, and more Queer-oriented entertainment like what was happening at The New Paris Theatre in Pioneer Square (Seattle’s original gay neighborhood.)”

JeLisa Marshall 7/6/26 JeLisa Marshall 7/6/26

Evergreen Style: Rossario George at Queer NW’s PRIMAVERA

Before the show, I sat down with one of the featured designers, Tony Vicente, to hear his perspective. Eight years after founding the award-winning luxury label Rossario George, Tony was preparing to debut a new haute couture collection, La Maison de Rossario George. His work has earned recognition for designs that blend timeless elegance with bold storytelling while celebrating individuality through artistry. Our conversation explored the role fashion plays in fostering self-expression, visibility, and community during Pride Month, and why those values hold true long after June.

Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 7/4/26 Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 7/4/26

Mike Barnet of Brmrtn Blk Mkt Creates Hub of Black Community

I had the pleasure of attending an event called Brmrtn Blk Mkt (Bremerton Black Market). It took place in Downtown Bremerton’s Quincy Square and per the website was “an open-air market celebration in Quincy Square of Black-led businesses, food vendors, doubledutch performances and live entertainment!” This free market allowed me to engage with and support my cultural community and I left, purchase-laden, feeling invigorated and refilled.

Maxwell Meier 6/30/26 Maxwell Meier 6/30/26

A Queer Reflection on PNW Wedding Planning

Wedding planning during Pride month brings forth newfound realizations, opportunities for self-reflection, and chances to make amends with past traumas, which makes June all the more special.

Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 6/27/26 Raegan Ballard-Gennrich 6/27/26

Perennial Conventions: The AI Grift

As the next generation exits schooling and begins their foray into the career space, the moment of their celebrated end to matriculation is being overshadowed by speakers shoehorning AI inevitability into their faces. The boos, turned backs, and walkouts have made it clear that a solid portion of the debuting generation are already fed up.

Gray Harrison 6/26/26 Gray Harrison 6/26/26

Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate Weaves Musical Stories at Seattle Symphony

On June 12, Octave 9 hosted an evening of music at Benaroya Hall from Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate. The chamber pieces were performed by a string quartet composed of Emerson Millar and Jacqueline Audas on violin, Ursula Steele on viola, and Katherine Audas on cello. One of the pieces, entitled “MoonStrike,” also featured live narration from Washington local musician, actor, and storytelling legend Swil Kanim.

Lynette Evans 6/25/26 Lynette Evans 6/25/26

Soft Life, Hard Lessons: Collard Green Kisses and Rom-Com Reality

The magic started on a Friday in Atlanta. My sleep is always a little unpredictable when I’m traveling, and I didn’t roll out of bed until 12:30 p.m. I headed to my favorite local buffet specifically to hit the salad bar. While I was waiting in line, two friends approached me. One of them looked at me, completely unprompted, and said I was beautiful and that I had pretty toes. Look at God!

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